Our Conferences are hard at work throughout Cook and Lake Counties! From visiting the homebound, listening and praying to those who seek comfort, and providing financial and tangible assistance to Neighbors who need it most, there is always something meaningful happening.

Keep reading for inspiring, feel-good stories from our Conferences and to learn about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved. 

Do you have good news of what your Conference is doing and want to share with us? Email Teresa at teresa@svdpchicago.org

Upcoming Conference Events

Conference Stories & Past Events: Highlighting the Heart

St. Joan of Arc Bundle Weekend
September 17-20

Bundle Weekend Success Despite the Rain

What a weekend! Despite the rainy weather on Saturday and Sunday, our Vincentians held a very successful Bundle Weekend donation drive. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Skokie and Evanston communities, two trailers were packed with donations that will help St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores continue providing affordable goods and supporting neighbors in need.

Volunteers of all ages stepped up to help during the September 17-20 event. Teens, parishioners from neighboring churches, and community members generously donated their time and energy to make the weekend a success.

Our seasoned Bundle Weekend veterans, Jim, Jeff, Ina, Kathy, Bob, and Rich, returned once again and helped accomplish an amazing amount of work. We were also grateful to welcome Barb, Mike, Julie, Chris, Bill, and Don to the team this year. Their many volunteer hours and willingness to help unload vehicles and organize donations were invaluable.

A special thank you goes to Allan, a UIC student living in the area, who volunteered for many hours despite the rainy conditions.

Finally, the unofficial “Donors of the Year” award goes to Joe and Betsy, who made three trips to the Bundle Weekend event, each time arriving with plenty of wonderful donations to support our mission.

Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and supported this event. Your generosity helps St. Vincent de Paul continue serving individuals and families in need throughout our communities.

Incarnation/St. Terrence
September 3, 2026

For several years, our conference assisted a neighbor in need by providing food support while she lived in a rundown motel room that consumed nearly all of her monthly income. Although she dreamed of having a place to call her own, it seemed out of reach.

Through financial assistance from SVdP and support from community partners, including the Chicago Furniture Bank and the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, that dream became a reality.

Today, she is living in her very own apartment, furnished with the essentials she needs to feel at home. What once felt impossible is now a new beginning filled with stability, dignity, and hope.

Incarnation/St. Terrence
August 13, 2026

This family’s story is a powerful reminder of both the challenges and the resilience we see in the mothers we serve.

A mother living alone came to us for assistance while struggling to make ends meet on a limited Social Security income. The rising cost of living had made it difficult for her to cover basic necessities, and she needed both rental assistance and food support. Shortly afterward, her adult daughter and grandchildren found themselves facing a difficult situation and needed a safe place to live. Without hesitation, the mother opened her home and welcomed them in, providing stability and shelter during a time of crisis.

We were able to provide rental assistance to help keep the family housed, along with food to ease the burden on their household budget. We also supplied school necessities to ensure the children had what they needed to begin the school year with confidence and success.

Our support will continue through the holiday season as we help provide Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, allowing this family to celebrate together without the added stress of wondering how they will afford a holiday dinner.

Through the compassion of our supporters, this grandmother was able to remain secure in her ho me while extending that same security to her daughter and grandchildren. Together, we helped a family find stability, hope, and the reassurance that they are not alone. 

St. Mary Magdalene
August 1, 2026

The St. Mary Magdalene SVdP Conference had its Second Annual Van’s Maplewood Rib Cookout! Although rain made an appearance, it did not dampen the spirits of those who attended.

Competitors put their culinary skills to the test, with dishes judged on flavor, creativity, and execution. The event brought together community members for an afternoon of outstanding food, fellowship, and friendly competition.

A heartfelt thank you to all who participated and contributed to another memorable cookout!

St. Michael SVdP Conference
July Toiletry Drive for BEDS+

The St. Michael SVdP Conference recently completed a toiletry drive to help supply BEDS+ with much needed toiletries. Thanks to the generous donations and contributions of parishioners and Vincentians, they were able to deliver seven tubs filled with shampoo, body wash, deodorant, and hand sanitizer.

Please see the graphic for a message from the ST. Michael SVdP Conference.

Incarnation/St. Terrence
July 30, 2026

Retirement often means living on a fixed income, and for some retirees, making ends meet can be a challenge. when money runs shorts, difficult choices arise: pay a bill, refill a prescription, or buy groceries.

One of our retired Neighbors in Need recently found himself facing this very situation. He reached out for help, and we were there for him. We helped ensure his prescription was refilled and provided food items to help him get through the financial shortfall. No one should have to choose between their health and their next meal.

Thanks to the financial donations from our donors, we were able to refill his prescription and provide food items to help bridge the gap until his finances stabilized.

St. Mary Magdalene SVdP Conference – Donation Drive
June 20-21, 2026

The St. Mary Magdalene SVdP Conference held a bundle weekend/donation drive at their Parish! Between the hard work of these Vincentians and the donations from community members, the entire trailer was filled to the brim with donations. All donations were brought back to the SVdP Orland Park thrift store, where items were sorted and put on the shelves for customers and Friends in Need who utilize the Care Card Voucher program.

For more information, click here: SVdP Blue Island – St. Mary Magdalene Bundle Weekend

Sacred Heart SVdP Conference – Car Wash
July 11, 2026

The Sacred Heart SVdP Conference held their Annual Car Wash fundraiser! Money raised from the car wash are going towards local families and individuals in need through the SVdP care program, helping provide assistance for food, utilities, rent, clothing, and other essential needs.

Here are a few words from the Conference President, John Lutwyche: “Last Saturday, July 11, the members of Sacred Heart/SVdP held their annual car wash in the church parking lot. We were aided by nearly a dozen teens from nearby schools such as Stagg and Conrady. Over 50 cars were washed, with many supplies donated by Fullers Car Wash in Palos Heights. Thanks to all who participated!”

St. John Neumann SVdP Conference – Food Drive
June 6, 2026

On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. John Neumann in Homewood, IL held a food drive to help restock their pantry shelves. Serving several neighboring cities such as Hazel Crest, East Hazel Crest, Country Club Hills, and Homewood, every third Saturday of the month, there is a lot of need which means a lot of food. Partnering with the Meals Plus Ministry at St. John Neumann Parish and Sisters-in-Christ, over 800 items and almost $1,500 in monetary donations were collected in only 2 hours.

For more information on the successful food drive, click here: SVdP Conference at St. John Neumann Parish – Food Drive

Old St. Patrick’s SVdP Conference – Near West Side Community Care Night
May 2026

The SVdP Conference at Old St. Patrick’s Church in Chicago held their first Near West Community Care Night, which provided food, showers, hygiene items, health resources, and compassionate support to those in need. With over 50 volunteers, this turned out to be a very successful event.

To watch the highlights, click here: SVdP Conference at Old St. Patrick’s – Near West Community Care Night

St. Mary of the Annunciation SVdP Conference – Pasta Party
March 2026

The St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church in Mundelein, IL hosted their annual Patsa Party. All proceeds from the event directly benefit our neighbors in need with things such as rent, utility bills, everyday essentials, and so much more. 

For more information on the event, click here: St. Mary of the Annunciation Pasta Party

Mary, Mother of God SVdP Conference – A Seat for Everyone
December 31, 2025

Meghan McKern, a Vincentian with Mary, Mother of God in Chicago, decided to put her background in culinary and her passion of cooking into action. Through her efforts, she helped provide meals and support to over 100 neighbors in need experiencing homelessness.

To read Meghan’s full story, click here: Megan McKern and Mary, Mother of God SVdP Conference – Feeding the Needy

St. Gilbert SVdP Conference – Thanksgiving Food Drive
November 2025

The SVdP Conference at St. Gilbert’s in Grayslake, IL held a Thanksgiving Food Drive to help feed those in need within the community. Members within the St. Gilbert parish also volunteered their time to help make this SVdP Food Drive a success. For more information, click here: SVdP Conference at St. Gilberts – Thanksgiving Food Drive

St. Veronica SVdP Conference – Socktober Event
October 2022

We are so grateful for our Infant Jesus of Prague Conference and for the students, families, and staff at Infant Jesus of Prague School! They collected over 1000 pairs of new socks in the month of October in support of Socktober, a movement to help the homeless through small acts of love. For December, they are prepping a “Winter Warmth Project” where they are pairing some of these socks that have not already been donated with hats and gloves to give to those in need as the weather turns cold. Wonderful work, thank you all so much for your efforts to help make a difference!

Incarnation SVdP Conference
Celebrating the Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul
September 27, 2020

The Incarnation Conference, located in Crestwood, celebrated St. Vincent de Paul Feast Day last Sunday by attending Mass together. Mike, who has been associated with SVdP for over 30 years carried the relic of SVdP into mass. The St Vincent relic was originally held by his uncle, the late Monsignor Joseph T. Lahart, who was the Chaplain for the Chicago Archdiocese SVDP Society in the 1950’s and 60’s. Mike generously donated the relic to Incarnation Parish a few years ago. Members also installed Associate Pastor Fr. Pawel as their Spiritual Advisor.  Thank you for sharing your celebration with us!

St. Paul the Apostle Vincentians
Volunteering at the Libertyville Thrift Store
April 7, 2018

Members of the St. Paul the Apostle Conference in Gurnee, IL pitched in on Sunday, April 7 to reorganize several sections of the Libertyville Thrift Store.

Want to volunteer with your Conference Members? Click here: Volunteering at our Thrift Stores